Friday, July 31, 2015

This follow-up story will delight readers of Thomas’ previous novel, but, it reads perfectly as a standalone as well.

– RT Book Reviews Top Pick – 4.5 stars

About the book:

When a family tragedy derails Henry Phillips’s college studies, he’s left unmoored and feeling abandoned. Although Henry tries to find escape in bad company, the only things that can tamp down his anger and grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and sweet but unusual pre-teen Mayfair Hoffman.

Unfortunately, Mayfair’s older sister, Margaret, with the freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has the opposite effect. Worse, she’s his grandmother’s housekeeper and helper, so she’s always around and ready to push his buttons. At first he thinks she doesn’t care about his loss, before beginning to understand she’s facing her own struggles. Mayfair’s health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries, and Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as both Henry’s future and Mayfair’s life are put at risk.

Eating and telling stories are two of my favorite things so it’s only natural that food turns up in my writing over and over again. The second book in the Appalachian Blessings series—Until the Harvest—opens with the hero, Henry Phillips, enjoying one of his favorite dishes–venison steak. And a little later he partakes of . . . fried squirrel.

Now, before you turn up your nose, understand that in my growing up years we ate quite a bit of game including squirrel. Plenty of folks still enjoy it. And my mother made the best squirrel gravy. If you tried some on a biscuit, I bet you’d think so, too.

My books aren’t about food, but food plays an important role in each one. Life on the farm—in West Virginia or anywhere else—centers on raising and harvesting food. Readers often comment that my books make them hungry, so today I thought I’d share a couple of recipes with you. One for Emily Phillips’ fried squirrel (courtesy of my mom, Nancy Loudin) and one for Margaret Hoffman’s egg salad (courtesy of WV chef Dale Hawkins).

Hope you enjoy the book AND a good meal!

What COTT voter had to say:

--I have enjoyed "getting to know" Sarah Loudin Thomas via social media and eagerly look forward to reading both of her novels.--I absolutely loved Until The Harvest, by Sarah Loudin Thomas!--I love Sarah Loudin Thomas's books! She is a favorite of mine!!--Absolutely LOVED Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas. UTH has it all--life lessons, "get real" God moments, and the sweet stirring of love--all set amidst the beautiful backdrop of Appalachia country. No ten dollar words here--just great storytelling at its absolute finest!--Sarah Loudin Thomas, I have loved both of your books! Keep 'em comin'!--Sarah Loudin Thomas: keep up the good work and allowing God to reach people through your writing!--Sarah Loudin Thomas is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she tells a story! I can always feel what the characters are feeling.

Fried Squirrel with Gravy

Makes 4 servings

2 large squirrels1 cup flourSalt and pepperOil or lard for fryingMilk and water

Soak the cleaned squirrels in a pan of water in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Cut into pieces, place in a large pot, and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the meat is tender, but not falling off the bones. Drain. Season the meat with salt and pepper and roll in the flour. Heat oil or lard to shimmering in a cast-iron skillet and add the pieces without crowding. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove to drain on a brown paper bag. Leave about two tablespoons of oil in the skillet and add two tablespoons of the flour left over from dredging the squirrel. Stir the flour until it’s lightly browned. Add milk and water alternately, stirring constantly, until your gravy is as thick as you like it. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with hot biscuits.

Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool. Peel and grate on a box grater. Place the eggs in a bowl and stir in the mayonnaise, mustard, and green onion. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir and serve.

About the author:

Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to

live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, released August 2014 through Bethany House and won the 2015 Selah Award and an INSPY Award for debut fiction. Book #2, Until the Harvest, released May 2015.

A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.

Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and play tug-o-war. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Book Description: When Emma's interference in her friends' lives backfires, will the consequences be more than she bargained for?

Emma Weaver is twenty-one years old and has found a passion for playing matchmaker with her Amish friends. Her neighbor, Gideon King, warns her about interfering in people's lives, but she disregards his advice and plans to set up Paul, the son of the Amish bishop, with her friend Hannah.

But when Paul misinterprets Emma's attention, believing she has feelings for him, he begins asking her to ride in his buggy after Sunday singings and shows up at her house for Friday evening visits. As she tries to repair the damage that's been done and mend the hearts that have been broken, she finds herself in trouble with the community. Will she learn her lesson and stop meddling in the affairs of others? Will she find a love of her own?

If you've read Jane Austin's classics then you'll love the Amish Classics. Even though each book is a stand alone read, I've enjoyed reading them in the order that they've come out.

In The Matchmaker, twenty-one year old Emma Weaver feels that she is amatchmaker...that she has found her "niche" in life. However, her neighbor, Gideon King, views Emma as an intruding person who wants to control people's lives.

Then when Emma decides to play matchmaker for Paul. Paul thinks that Emma has feelings for him. This causes a mess. And, O!What!Mess!

The story is funny as Emma tries to untangle the love vine.

Sometimes it takes consequences in life to make one understand that God is in control and not a person or matchmaker.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Book Description: On the first night of the Blitz, a body is discovered in a van in the back streets of West Ham. DI John Jago is called to the scene and recognizes the body as local Justice of the Peace and businessman Charles Villiers. Shortly afterwards a blast destroys the scene. Jago quickly establishes that Villiers’ wife and adult son Edward both have possible motives, and that there was a rift between Villiers and his brother Arthur. But as he begins the investigation, Jago is annoyed when his boss tells him to help an American journalist who’s writing about public morale – even more so when he finds it’s a woman, Dorothy Appleton. As Jago and Appleton follow leads, they realize that the dead man held many secrets, some of which reach back to World War I. Rather a lot of people wished Villiers dead – and an air raid is a good time to bury bad news.

My Thoughts: Oh, wow! Mike Hollow has written quite a book in Direct Hit, The Blitz Detective. The subtitle caught my attention... The Blitz Detective. And that, my reader friend, is why I chose to read this book. A detective who is caught in the throes of a war but yet, there is a dead person, a case to be solved during a war! Interesting that there are so many dead peoples, yet one body in a van is to be investigated and it brings out so much trouble.

On the night of the Blitz in London. A body (as in dead) is found. It just happens to be the body of the local Justice of the Peace, Charles Villers.

And right after the body is found...a "direct hit" destroys the scene. Hmmm! Interesting! And that is the thought that Detective John Jago has as he thinks of this incident.

But wait, there is way more to this mystery . . .

There are many, many secrets. And then to top it off John Jago's boss insists that Dorothy Appleton an American journalist be able to follow/go with Jago as he tries to solve this case.

Detective John Jago and his side kick, Dorothy make for a lively read! Love this dynamic duo!

It's interesting how the author directs the reader back to WWI throughout the WWII scenes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well written, interesting read.

*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*

Meet the Author:

Mike Hollow was born in West Ham, on the eastern edge of London, and grew up in Romford, Essex. He studied Russian and French at the University of Cambridge and then worked for the BBC and later Tearfund. In 2002 he went freelance as a copywriter, journalist and editor. He's a published poet, and nowadays when not writing about the Blitz Detective he makes his living as a translator.

Monday, July 27, 2015

What a great bunch of books to take on vacation or read under a shady tree this summer. Selections include a Regency romance, a thriller, the story of an abandoned child found by the shore and two Westerns.

Unmasked Heart by Vanessa Riley

A young woman reconciling the lies of her birth must learn her true worth, unmasking her heart to true love, but will she find her soul mate in a duke running from scandal? With everything she knows to be true evaporating before her spectacles, can the mulatto passing for white survive being exposed and shunned by a powerful duke who has taken an interest in her?

Rodeo Reunion by Shannon Vannatter

Slade Walker, the bronco-riding rodeo chaplain breaks all of widowed Raquel’s rules—find a father for her son with a safe occupation, who’s home every night. He can’t turn his back on the cowboys who need him, but Raquel and her boy need him, too.

Two Days in Caracas by Luana Ehrlich

In this pulse-racing Christian thriller, Titus Ray, travels from Costa Rica to Venezuela in an effort to stop Ahmed, a Hezbollah assassin, from murdering a high-profile government official.

Finding Mia by Dianne J. Wilson

Isobel is on the beach hunting for her muse. What she finds is a toddler, sunburnt and close to death.

The Rancher Takes a Cook by Misty Beller

When their South Carolina home burns to the ground, Anna Stewart’s only choice is to move with her younger brother to the wilds of a Texas ranch. When danger escalates in the form of a band of cattle thieves with deadly intent, can Anna learn to release control to God’s capable hands...and those of the blue-eyed cowboy who’s stolen her heart?

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Book Description:Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn’t. But when the George Foreman grill falls out of the pantry onto her head, resulting in a bump and a mighty case of amnesia, Louisa’s life takes a turn for the unexpected. Who is this Collin fellow, claiming she is his wife? And whose kids are those? Her name can’t be Louisa. Why, she is the renowned romance writer Jazz Sweet, not a Midwestern mom of three. Struggling to put the pieces together of the life she’s told she had, Louisa/Jazz may realize that some memories are better left alone.

My Thoughts: I loved the title of this book and this is another new author for me so I grabbed this read!

Louisa Copeland is the perfect wife. Don't you just love that her last name begins with "cope." Since Louisa seems to be able to do anything and do it well. She copes well.

But that one fateful afternoon when George Foreman knocks her cold...ah! not The Boxer but the grill....Louisa begins to find herself. And, well, it seems that her husband begins to find out a few things about himself as well as his perfect wife.

So, Jazz, the creative/bold woman begins the life of Louisa, the boring/bland, got.it.all.together woman. Sometimes when we think we have it all together that's when God allows things to unravel so that we find Him in our everyday mess.

The old story of amnesia is told in an all new way. And it's pretty funny at times. But this story also has a serious note. My take? Do we, women, try to be too perfect and maybe, just maybe, let life take away our joy? Because in reality none of us are perfect as this fun story points out in quite a nice way.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Book Description: She was a nun of noble birth. He, a heretic, a reformer…an outlaw of the Holy Roman Empire.

In the 16th century, nun Katharina von Bora’s fate fell no further than the Abbey. Until she read the writings of Martin Luther.

His sweeping Catholic church reformation—condemning a cloistered life and promoting the goodness of marriage—awakened her desire for everything she’d been forbidden. Including Martin Luther himself.

Despite the fact that the attraction and tension between them is undeniable, Luther holds fast to his convictions and remains isolated, refusing to risk anyone’s life but his own. And Katharina longs for love, but is strong-willed. She clings proudly to her class distinction, pining for nobility over the heart of a reformer. They couldn’t be more different.

But as the world comes tumbling down around them, and with Luther’s threatened life a constant strain, these unlikely allies forge an unexpected bond of understanding, support and love.

Together, they will alter the religious landscape forever.

My Thoughts: I think it's interesting that when we think of Martin Luther, the reformer, that we don't usually think of this great man having a wife.

And since Martin Luther is known as a German priest in the Catholic church we don't usually think of him and his romantic loves.

Jody Hedlund writes an intriguing story about Katharina von Bora a nun of noble birth and Martin Luther who at times is a little "rough around the edges."

This was a most interesting love story about two most unusual type of people to fall in love.

Jody Hedlund has done a fantastic job in researching Martin Luther's life as well as the Catholic church.

Martin Luther makes an enlightening statement about priests and nuns and that God did not intend for man to be unmarried and so, his statement comes back to "haunt." him because as Martin Luther promotes marriage Katharina who is a German nun of noble birth begins to fall in love with Martin Luther...only a marriage that God could bring together.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Book Description:Artist Alison Schuyler spends her time working in her family’s renowned art gallery, determined to avoid the curse that has followed the Schuyler clan from the Netherlands to America and back again. She’s certain that true love will only lead to tragedy―that is, until a chance meeting at Waterloo station brings Ian Devlin into her life. Drawn to the bold and compassionate British Army captain, Alison begins to question her fear of love as World War II breaks out, separating the two and drawing each into their own battles. While Ian fights for freedom on the battlefield, Alison works with the Dutch Underground to find a safe haven for Jewish children and priceless pieces of art alike. But safety is a luxury war does not allow. As time, war, and human will struggle to keep them apart, will Alison and Ian have the faith to fight for their love, or is it their fate to be separated forever?

My Thoughts: I picked this book because it's about WWII and I love to read about this era. But truly the cover drew my attention...

Alison Schulyer is an artist working in her family's art gallery. And they are from the Netherlands living in America.

Alison works with the Dutch Underground. It's a wow story already!

Alison and the Dutch Underground work to place Jewish children and priceless art in safety. I thought that was interesting thought...priceless art, priceless children! Compassion, love and sacrifice abound in this read!

The suspense and love are well written. As I read I could tell that Ms. Alexander must have done a "ton" of research before writing this novel.

Even though this is Johnnie Alexander's debut novel, one would never guess because it is so well thought out and enjoyable.

At times it is sad but that makes this read all the more real and alive.

Book Description:Present and past residents of a countryside English vicarage search for loveMarin Ellis is in search of a new start after her father and his second wife die in a car accident leaving her the guardian of her fifteen-year-old half-sister, Rebecca. They choose the picturesque village of Goswell on the Cumbrian coast and settle into Bower House, the former vicarage, on the edge of the church property. When a door to a walled garden captures Rebecca's interest, Marin becomes determined to open it and discover what is hidden beneath the bramble inside. She enlists the help of local gardener Joss Fowler, and together the three of them begin to uncover the garden's secrets. In 1919, nineteen-year-old Eleanor Sanderson, daughter of Goswell's vicar, is grieving the loss of her beloved brother Walter, who was killed just days before the Armistice was signed. Eleanor retreats into herself and her father starts to notice how unhappy she is. As spring arrives, he decides to hire someone to make a garden for Eleanor, and draw her out of or at least distract her from her grief and sorrow. Jack Taylor is in his early twenties, a Yorkshire man who has been doing odd jobs in the village, and when Eleanor's father hires him to work on the vicarage gardens, a surprising and unsuitable friendship unfolds.My Thoughts: As a young reader I absolutely loved the book, The Secret Garden! So, when I saw the cover of this book it reminded me of a favorite childhood read so I grabbed it.This is a story of a past life and a present life sort.of intermingled but yet.o.so.different.When Marin Ellis' dad and stepmom are killed in a car accident, Marin becomes the guardian of her half sister, Rebecca. Rebecca finds a door . . . a door that leads to a lost garden. When Marin finds out about the garden she is determined to restore the garden to its glory. But she needs help. She hires Joss Fowler, the local gardener. Betwixt the three of them they uncover secrets of long ago and the life of nineteen year old Eleanor Sanderson.I loved the English ways and descriptions of the lovely country side plus the vicarage made this seem like a wonderful place to live and to find secrets of times past.The characters were well rounded and easy to like. Rebecca reminds me a "true" fifteen year old. She was eager to have an adventure and found one in the "secret" door.Katherine Swartz pens a fine story of family, hope and all.is.not.lost when one has a secret garden. A sweet story with just enough romance, adventure and family togetherness to make this a wonderful read!

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Blue Columbine, book one in the Grace Revealing series by Jennifer Rodewald

Welcome, readers! This week we're going behind the scenes of Jennifer Rodewald's new book, Blue Columbine!! Find out why her hero, Andrew Harris, drew such a reaction, and why this "non-heroic" hero makes the perfect star of this beautiful contemporary romance.

The main character isn’t your typical Christian Fiction hero. What is he like?

Andrew Harris insists on living on his own terms. Angry because of life’s injustices, he is determined that failure will not cross his path again. He is also adamant that he is not an alcoholic. When he reunites with Jamie Carson, finding her to be rooted in the faith they’d grown up with, and every bit as sweet and lovely as he remembered, he is plunged into an emotional whirlwind. Guilt, a longing to be better, frustration that he is not enough, and a rekindled love for his childhood sweetheart all swirl inside with maddening strength. But for all his faults, he is still loyal, supportive, and generous when he wants to be—all qualities that keep Jamie’s attention and devotion. Which keeps their close friendship—edging on more than friendship—complicated, to say the least.

What was the hardest part of writing this story?

This is a tough one, because the greatest difficulty didn’t come during the writing part. The hardest thing was taking in the amount of very strong negative reactions to Andrew as a Christian fiction character during the critiquing stage of the novel. Andrew’s a mess. An alcoholic in denial, angry at life and at God, selfish, and overall just not pretty. I knew that, but I didn’t expect to have vehement reactions insisting that such a character did not belong in Christian fiction. One comment labeled him “unredeemable.” That broke my heart, because as I shared before, God reminded me through this story that no one is beyond the Hand of Grace. I think it’s important that sometimes Christian fiction confirms that truth, even if it means starting with messy characters.

Where did Blue Columbine, the story, come from?

I’m not sure there’s one single, straight shot answer to that. The story unfolded in my mind and I was compelled to write it. I’ve had several years to look back and wonder, “Why this story?” since it first gripped me. Looking at it from hindsight, I think God was pouring truth into me through this book. I was at a point in my life when I was praying for loved ones…and losing hope. I see now that God was teaching me that nothing is beyond His reach. I needed to see that, to believe it again.

What messages/ themes do you hope your readers will get out of this book?

The first is this: NO ONE is beyond redemption. No one. I need to know that, because I love some messy people. God showed me through this book that my prayers do not go unheard, that His hand is more powerful than I give Him credit for, and His time and storyline are not necessarily mine.

And second: Jesus saves. From white lies to powerful addictions, Jesus saves the lost, washes sin completely clean, and offers new life with real hope.

What an amazing message! This book's hero proves that when our characters are not perfectly heroic, that only proves that God is! Thank you for sharing your book with us.Now for a closer look at this book--and the gorgeous cover that sets the tone!

BLUE COLUMBINE, Book 1 of the Grace Revealing series

Best Friends—maybe more—until addiction shatters everything.Childhood sweethearts reunite, but Andrew is not the boy he had been, and Jamie hasn’t changed. Their connection, however, outlasts time and offense.

Loyalty, love, and then betrayal….For Jamie, one thing becomes clear: Andy needs a savior, and she cannot be it. Will Andrew allow the hand of grace to redeem his legacy of addiction, or will he and Jamie remain the casualties of heartbreak?

What her readers are saying:~ “Delicate. Humorous. And plumbing the depths of God's redeeming love.”

~ “This book does not disappoint. Instead it takes you through the emotional upheaval of loving someone with a problem you can't solve--and lets you witness the glory of the One who can.”

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. The draw to fiction has tugged hard on her heart since childhood, and when she began pursuing writing she set on stories that reveal the grace of God.

Aiming to live with boundless enthusiasm, her creed is vision, pursuit and excellence. Blessed with a robust curiosity, she loves to research. Whether she’s investigating the history of a given area, the biography of a Christian icon, or how nature declares the glory of God, her daily goal is to learn something new.

Jen lives and writes in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.

She would love to hear from you! Please visit her at authorjenrodewald.com or connect with her on Facebook. Author Jen Rodewald.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Wondering what to do with all those wonderful vegetables in our garden...

I found this delicious recipe on Pinterest (of course!)

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium yellow onion

1 tsp minced garlic

1 medium zucchini

1 medium yellow squash

1 medium potato

1 medium tomato

1 tsp dried thyme

to taste salt & pepper

1 cup shredded Italian cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Saute both in a skillet with olive oil until softened (about five minutes).

While the onion and garlic are sauteing, thinly slice the rest of the vegetables.

Spray the inside of an 8×8 square or round baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the softened onion and garlic in the bottom of the dish. Place the thinly sliced vegetables in the baking dish vertically, in an alternating pattern. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and thyme.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with cheese and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Book Description: Emmie’s hope for a life with Isaac is overshadowed by a tragic loss at Fort Phil Kearny.

Isaac Liddle is keen to marry Emmie, and she knows she shouldn’t hide her pregnancy from him any longer. But before she can tell him her secret, a widower friend asks the impossible of Emmie: Will she honor her promise to his dead wife by marrying him to care for the orphaned baby?

With the Sioux Wars threatening outside the fort, Emmie’s solemn vow threatens her happiness from within. Will she honor a promise sure to break her heart—and Isaac’s? Or is there another way to find a home for her heart?

My Thoughts: A Heart's Home by Colleen Coble is the sixth and final book in the A Journey of the Heart series.

I have read each of these "mini" books in order. It's a must to read these mini stories in order because they are short stories from a much bigger book. Each of these stories makes a "big" novel.

Emmie has led quite a life. She married and was separated from her husband, then as she traveled she realized she was pregnant. But then Emmie has made a promise to a dying friend to care for her baby. The friends husband wants Emmie to marry him and raise the baby...but there is another man who also wants to marry Emmie. Also, neither man knows that Emmie is pregnant.

This is the story of what Emmie decides to do with her promise and what choice will she make with her life.

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In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review on my site are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. I am in no way compensated for any reviews on my site. All opinions are mine and I am not required to give a positive review.